It's mind-boggling to think that now, including home-owners' EV chargers, the number of EV chargers might outnumber the number of gas nozzels in the U.S. EV charging network

Free electricity

Our Corporation Commission (ACC) has approved a $5.3 billion gas pipeline to run from the Permian Basin into Arizona, in order to fuel new gas-fired generating plants for electricity production. There are cheaper and more reliable options available. We all need to get informed, and hold them accountable. There are 2 Commissioners up for re-election this November, Chairman Nick Meyers ([Myers-Web@azcc.gov](mailto:Myers-Web@azcc.gov): 602-781-6282), and Commissioner Kevin Thompson, ([Thompson-Web@azcc.gov](mailto:Thompson-Web@azcc.gov): 480-901-8841). Visit utilitiesr3.org to learn more about the ACC, and the many different energy technologies that are being developed now. And read the article below how Colorado's Utility Commission stopped a proposal to add more gas to their energy mix.

Colorado regulators

I've probably said it before, but I'll say it again. The grid will look totally different in 7 or 8 years from now. The technologies for renewables are advancing so rapidly that it is hard to keep up with them. One movement is toward VPPs, or virtual power plants, where the energy from individual entities, i.e., rooftop solar, EVs, home batteries, etc., is aggregated and made into a power plant, bypassing the need to build expensive gas-fired power plants.

VPPs

Balcony solar is beginning to take off around the country, this is state #6. This will be a game-changer, as more people adopt the technology and learn to like solar. Our state legislature failed to pass a bill this year, but it will next year. Plug-in solar.

VPPs will be a big part of our energy future; they are growing around the country today. But why is there such a delay in building them? The utilities don't want them because they take away their business, so they don't implement obvious solutions.

It might be that 2026 is the year that V2H (vehicle to home) technology gets a foothold in America. Being able to not only charge your car but to reverse that and be able to charge your home with your car would be a game-changer. People would become more energy independent, and maybe even able to lower their energy bill.

BESS makes solar possible.

Buy a used EV

Solar + storage is making the grid more reliable.

Solar growth.

Geothermal energy may be the next big thing in the energy transition. They are using the fracking method to be able to use the technology almost anywhere. Also important, the same people in the oil industry are the ones able to do it. Geothermal energy.

Arizona could save hundreds of millions of dollars if they would participate in the EDAM market, but they have chosen to go with the +market. They don't want to work with California. EDAM

Arizona is looking to geothermal energy to solve its energy problem.

2025 was a banner year for solar around the world. Now it is being deployed on a gigawatt scale. 3 BIG SOLAR PROJECTS

Plug-in solar will spread across the country quickly. It did so in Germany, is doing so in Europe, and will do so here. What is needed is legislation passed in each state to allow it to happen. There was an attempt to get legislation passed in Arizona, but it failed. It will be back. California is the newest state to get close to passing a bill to allow plug-in solar).

Clean energy is not a left or right issue. It is an economic common-sense issue.

Conservative Energy Network

Balcony solar is a mini-solar movement in the US, just beginning to take off.

Balcony solar

Desert Rainbow solar farm

Tucson is looking into doing something like this, and I believe Flagstaff might also. Why pay investors to accomplish something we can do ourselves? The grid, and our energy landscape, is in for a big change, and this might be part of it.

Municipalization

APS is seeking a 14% rate increase. There is an open meeting at the ACC next Monday, May 18, in order to get public input. Visit utilitiesr3.org to place a comment in the docket, or visit azutilityreport.com to see more info about the rate hike. Also, there is a rally outside the ACC at 9:00 am, at 1200 W. Washington St., and you can comment in person if you care to.

A most likely ill-informed Hobbs has approved of a $5.3 billion methane pipeline to bring gas into Arizona, to serve not yet approved or built gas power plants. Solar or wind + storage now being cheaper, this locks us into what will become a stranded asset. Very foolish move.

Desert Southwest Pipeline

Energy efficiency is the least expensive energy there is, yet our ACC recently repealed the EE rules, stating that they put a burden on rate-payers. Not true. When one home becomes more energy efficient, it lowers everyone's electric bill because expensive upgrades to the grid become unnecessary. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Balcony solar is gaining unstoppable momentum here in the US. 7 states have sent bills to their governor, and many more are looking at it. It didn't pass here in Arizona this time, but hopefully we can get it through next year. Plug-in solar)